New concrete industry management building created without state help

Oct. 2, 2013

Written by

Jaylen Baker

Contributing writer

The Concrete Industry Management program will soon be the first discipline on campus built entirely without state funding.

A new construction project will begin near Scarlett Commons for a 30,000 square foot building to be used by the CIM majors in May 2016. The date will mark the 20th anniversary of the program.

Unlike other buildings on campus, state funding will not help construct the new building. Donations from alumni and their companies will fund most of the cost.

The cost will also be lower because companies and firms sponsoring the design will provide the construction equipment required. Heather Brown, department chair of CIM, said she believes these companies are investing in the future.

“This new building isn’t just for our growth; it’s for the growth of the major as well,” Brown said.

The expansion in space makes room for an auditorium, a student lab and a courtyard, three features the Voorhies Engineering Technology building could not provide.

“The ET department definitely needs the space. We can use all of it and more,” said Walter Boles, engineering technology department chairperson.

Brown, along with the CIM staff and local industries, has tailored the new building to suit the needs of the students. Chris Davenport, one of the program’s eight inaugural graduates, is facilitating the construction of the building.

CIM students will construct the courtyard and other outside structures, while alumni and the companies supporting the building process will do the majority of the construction.

“It’s very important to educate future leaders in the concrete industry,” Davenport said. “All eight of us who graduated are still employed and successful. Our resources are critical to obtaining the goal of a center of concrete excellence at MTSU.”